RUGO Honours the Victims of Genocide

RUGO has dedicated itself to marking the anniversary of the genocide with a memorial service in London each year. Last year this was held at St Martins-in-the-Field in Trafalgar Square.

On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of genocide this year, RUGO honoured the victims of genocide with a memorial service at the London Swiss Church. This was a very dignified service and was attended by a cross-section of British people and Rwandese people living in the UK.

Those attending included Lyndsey Hilsum who was reporting from Kigali for the BBC World Service during the genocide and is now reporting for Channel Four Television News.

During the service children lit 36 candles to mark the 36 years of bloodletting in Rwanda and Dr Lillian Wong, who was the first British Representative in Kigali, read a poem which was specially written for the occasion.

Mr Ben Crampton, co-ordinator of the All Party Group on Rwanda, the Great Lakes Region & the Prevention of Genocide of the House of Commons, addressed the congregation.

RUGO's chairman Mr Mike Hughes led a music group which played music appropriate to a memorial service and the many people who spoke included Rev. Doug Cockbill, vicar of St. Andrews Church, Harrow.

Several messages were received from Rwanda's well wishers including a letter from the Prime Minister Tony Blair, MPs and members of the House of Lords.

In his letter the Prime Minister said, "Although I am unable to join you on 11 April, I should be grateful if you would pass on my best wishes to all concerned. It is important that we do not forget the suffering of the Rwandan people and that we do every thing possible to prevent such tragedies happening in the future."

The messages were bound in a book form and presented to his Excellency the Vice President of Rwanda.